With the holidays approaching, my clients talk about how they dread the further trauma of going home to their families and not being able to — or feeling able to — be out and open with them about being gay. They call it depression, but I say trauma because it better expresses something emotionally charged and distressing that happens, leaving you nowhere to release and express the emotions.

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Over the past years with increased discussions about gays not being able to be legally married or be in the priesthood, I’ve listened to clients shout and weep, expressing their hurt, pain and fear at knowing they live in a country that passes laws against them. Among those they pass on the street, they wonder who might have voted to ban marriage for gays and/or are in favor of keeping gays out of the priesthood. They wonder, as I do — who betrays us?

They really want to express their dismay at work, in their families, to their neighbors, but many don’t dare out of fear of rejection, alienation and abandonment.

They really want to express their dismay at work, in their families, to their neighbors, but many don’t dare out of fear of rejection, alienation and abandonment. They do not want to experience the betrayal all over again.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (or PTSD), first identified in soldiers returning home from wars, is a psychological disorder that follows having endured life-threatening events. Later, psychologists noted that those who experienced other traumas such as natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, rape and childhood sexual and physical abuse also displayed PTSD. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping and concentrating,, becoming easily startled and agitated, irritability, outbursts of anger, depression, intense anxiety, substance abuse, nightmares and flashbacks, and feelings of helplessness. We lesbians and gays are vulnerable to PTSD, because we often lack social and family support, get blamed for others’ homophobic and heterosexist remarks, and must live with the threats and dangers, perceived and real, of being discriminated against.

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In my office, I see more lesbian and gay couples and individuals struggling on a daily basis with the media’s negative political views about us. Even if they aren’t planning to join the priesthood or marry, this issue feels personal — as well it should!

It’s high time to start identifying the post-traumatic stress and depression we experience from having basic rights and privileges wrestled away from us.

It’s high time to start identifying the post-traumatic stress and depression we experience from having basic rights and privileges wrestled away from us. It is time to claim back our rights, regardless of the passage of ignorant laws or what others do (and don’t) want for us. No longer should we wait for others to give us permission to heal ourselves.

This holiday, download your emotions. Don’t remain silent about being and living gay and lesbian. Even doing one thing differently with one institution, one group, one person can relieve your depressive PTSD symptoms and help you feel more empowered. Taking action is our one antidote to keep us from internalizing the hate and oppression coming our way, and treating ourselves and others badly as a result.

Avoidance, as in hiding, avoiding, fleeing, freezing, submitting — or conversely, fighting, shouting or being irrational — will only keep you traumatized. Herewith, some tips to keep yourself from being depressed during the holiday season, when many feel guilty for not feeling joyous.

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How to be Homo For the Holidays

If you are not completely out, tell at least one family member, colleague, or friend that you are gay.

Take your partner home with you for the holidays. Don’t go separately to your own families.

Talk about LGBTQ issues with one group of people, be they friends, family, colleagues, or fellow students. You don’t have to get personal in terms of telling them you’re gay yourself; you can just express your feelings on the issue. Whether or not you’ve come out, that’s a step in the right direction.

Volunteer for a LGBTQ organization or donate to help them fight for our political and social rights.

Seek professional mental health help from a LGBTQ-affirmative therapist.

Write an editorial to your local newspaper.

Locate — and work for — LGBTQ-friendly political candidates.

Write to an anti-gay organization and tell them you will not be oppressed by their hateful views.

About Joe Kort, Ph.D.

Joe Kort, Ph.D., LMSW, is a board-certified sexologist and the founder of The Center for Relationship and Sexual Health and runs a private practice in Royal Oak, Michigan. Dr. Kort, a therapist, coach, and author, has been practicing psychotherapy for over 25 years and has spoken internationally on the subject of gay counseling. He specializes in sex therapy, gay affirmative psychotherapy, sexually compulsive behaviors, and IMAGO relationship therapy designed for couples to enhance their relationship through improved communication. Dr. Kort is a blogger for the Huffington Post and Psychology Today on issues of sexuality. He has been a guest on the various television programs on mixed orientation marriages and “sexual addiction”. Dr. Kort is the author of several books, including, Gay Affirmative Therapy for the Straight Clinician, 10 Smart Things Gay Men Can Do To Improve Their Lives, 10 Smart Things Gay Men Can Do To Find Real Love, "Is My Husband Gay, Straight or Bi: A Guide For Women Concerned About Their Men," and his latest, LGBTQ Clients in Therapy: Clinical Issues and Treatment Strategies/a>, published by WW Norton books.